1|Page
POL1501 Assignment 2 Semester 1 2026 (Answer Guide) – Due 07
April 2026
VERIFIED AND CERTIFIED ANSWERS. WRITTEN IN REQUIRED FORMAT AND WITHIN
GIVEN GUIDELINES. IT IS GOOD TO USE AS A GUIDE AND FOR REFERENCE, NEVER
PLAGARIZE. Thank you and success in your academics.
UNISA, 2026
Contents
Question 1 (10 marks) ............................................................................................................2
Question 2 (16 marks) ............................................................................................................5
2.1 Consultation ......................................................................................................................5
2.2 Service Standards ............................................................................................................6
2.3 Access ...............................................................................................................................6
2.4 Courtesy ............................................................................................................................7
2.5 Information ........................................................................................................................7
2.6 Openness and Transparency ..........................................................................................8
2.7 Redress..............................................................................................................................8
2.8 Value for Money ................................................................................................................9
Conclusion ..............................................................................................................................9
Question 3 ...................................................................................................................................9
3.1 Definition of Community Policing (4 marks) .................................................................9
3.2 Advantages and Disadvantages of Community Policing in the Context of SAPS
Operations (20 marks) ......................................................................................................... 10
Advantages of Community Policing .................................................................................. 10
Disadvantages of Community Policing ............................................................................. 12
Conclusion ............................................................................................................................ 14
References ................................................................................................................................ 14
, 2|Page
Question 1 (10 marks)
1.1 Definition of Policy
A policy can be described as a deliberate system of principles, rules, or guidelines that
is developed to guide decisions and actions within an organisation, institution, or
government. Policies provide a structured framework that helps decision-makers
determine appropriate courses of action when dealing with specific issues or situations.
They establish consistency, direction, and accountability by outlining what should be
done, how it should be done, and why it should be done in a particular manner (Cloete,
Wissink & De Coning, 2016).
Policies are not limited to government institutions; they can exist in private
organisations, schools, corporations, and non-governmental organisations. For
example, a company may have a human resources policy that outlines rules
regarding recruitment, promotion, and employee conduct. Similarly, a school may have
a disciplinary policy that guides how misconduct by learners should be handled.
In essence, a policy serves as a guiding instrument that assists organisations in
achieving their objectives by ensuring that decisions are consistent with the
organisation’s values, goals, and legal obligations (Fourie & Poggenpoel, 2017).
1.2 Definition of Public Policy
Public policy refers specifically to the decisions, actions, and programmes that are
developed and implemented by government authorities to address public issues and
meet the needs of society. Public policy is therefore concerned with how governments
identify societal problems, formulate strategies to address them, and implement
solutions through laws, regulations, and programmes (Dye, 2013).
Public policy involves a process that includes several stages such as problem
identification, policy formulation, policy adoption, implementation, and evaluation. These
POL1501 Assignment 2 Semester 1 2026 (Answer Guide) – Due 07
April 2026
VERIFIED AND CERTIFIED ANSWERS. WRITTEN IN REQUIRED FORMAT AND WITHIN
GIVEN GUIDELINES. IT IS GOOD TO USE AS A GUIDE AND FOR REFERENCE, NEVER
PLAGARIZE. Thank you and success in your academics.
UNISA, 2026
Contents
Question 1 (10 marks) ............................................................................................................2
Question 2 (16 marks) ............................................................................................................5
2.1 Consultation ......................................................................................................................5
2.2 Service Standards ............................................................................................................6
2.3 Access ...............................................................................................................................6
2.4 Courtesy ............................................................................................................................7
2.5 Information ........................................................................................................................7
2.6 Openness and Transparency ..........................................................................................8
2.7 Redress..............................................................................................................................8
2.8 Value for Money ................................................................................................................9
Conclusion ..............................................................................................................................9
Question 3 ...................................................................................................................................9
3.1 Definition of Community Policing (4 marks) .................................................................9
3.2 Advantages and Disadvantages of Community Policing in the Context of SAPS
Operations (20 marks) ......................................................................................................... 10
Advantages of Community Policing .................................................................................. 10
Disadvantages of Community Policing ............................................................................. 12
Conclusion ............................................................................................................................ 14
References ................................................................................................................................ 14
, 2|Page
Question 1 (10 marks)
1.1 Definition of Policy
A policy can be described as a deliberate system of principles, rules, or guidelines that
is developed to guide decisions and actions within an organisation, institution, or
government. Policies provide a structured framework that helps decision-makers
determine appropriate courses of action when dealing with specific issues or situations.
They establish consistency, direction, and accountability by outlining what should be
done, how it should be done, and why it should be done in a particular manner (Cloete,
Wissink & De Coning, 2016).
Policies are not limited to government institutions; they can exist in private
organisations, schools, corporations, and non-governmental organisations. For
example, a company may have a human resources policy that outlines rules
regarding recruitment, promotion, and employee conduct. Similarly, a school may have
a disciplinary policy that guides how misconduct by learners should be handled.
In essence, a policy serves as a guiding instrument that assists organisations in
achieving their objectives by ensuring that decisions are consistent with the
organisation’s values, goals, and legal obligations (Fourie & Poggenpoel, 2017).
1.2 Definition of Public Policy
Public policy refers specifically to the decisions, actions, and programmes that are
developed and implemented by government authorities to address public issues and
meet the needs of society. Public policy is therefore concerned with how governments
identify societal problems, formulate strategies to address them, and implement
solutions through laws, regulations, and programmes (Dye, 2013).
Public policy involves a process that includes several stages such as problem
identification, policy formulation, policy adoption, implementation, and evaluation. These
